The Parish Chest

This classic is a 'Standard' describing the documents of the parish chest and their value to the family and local historian. Lavishly illustrated with examples and containing a very useful list of the main statutes influencing the keeping of parish documentation.

Many examples of typical records of all kinds are printed, transcribed and related to the conditions and laws that gave rise to them and to the earlier phases of the evolving English society whose relics they are. The author's knowledge of the documents and the literature dealing with them has enabled him not only to guide the searcher in the use and understanding of parish records, but also to trace and illustrate the developmetn of local government in England.